Apparatus for positioning crossties



April 8, 1969 J. D. HOLLEY APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING CROSSTIES I of 3 Sheet Filed July 2, 1965 April 8, 1969 J. D. HOLLEY 3,437,052

APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING GHOSSTIES Filed July 2, 1965 Sheet 2 of 3 1 N VEN TOR.

% M+ H Affar/zgrs April 8, 1969 J. D. HOLLEY APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING GROSSTIES Sheet Filed July 2, 1965 3,437,052 APPARATUS FOR PUSI'IIONING CRQSSTIES John I). Holley, Montgomery, Ala, assignor to Kershaw Manufacturing Co., Inc., a corporation of Alabama Filed July 2, 1965, Ser. No. 469,174 int. Cl. Elilb 29/06 U.S. Cl. 104-9 13 Claims 1C1 F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to apparatus for positioning crossties and more particularly to such apparatus which shall be adapted to position crossties beneath the rails of a railroad track immediately after the removal of ballast therefrom whereby the crossties are positioned beneath the rails and then spaced accurately prior to placing ballast around the crossties.

An object of my invention is to provide apparatus for positioning crossties which shall include improved means for moving the crosstie to a position adjacent the railroad track and then inserting the crosstie beneath the rails, together with improved means for spacing the crossties accurately in parallel relation to each other.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for inserting crossties which shall include means to insert each crosstie in a rectilinear direction to a position beneath the railroad track together with adjustable means to determine the distance the crosstie is inserted beneath the rails, thus reducing the power and time required to position the crosstie accurately and at the same time the insertion of the crosstie does not interfere with crossties positioned adjacent thereto.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus for inserting crossties of the character designated which shall be particularly adapted for mounting on an elongated support member which operatively connects a ballast removing unit to a ballast cleaning unit.

A still further object of my invention is to provide ap paratus of the character designated which shall be extremely simple of construction and manufacture and one which is adapted to be operated in an eflicient manner by unskilled labor to position the crossties accurately beneath the rails.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, difficuties have been encountered in the insertion of crossties beneath the rails of a railroad track after the ballast has been removed therefrom. Not only does it require a considerable amount of time to insert the crossties, but it is an arduous task to force the crossties beneath the rails and then align the crossties properly relative to each other prior to securing the crossties to the rails.

To overcome the above and other difficulties, I provide apparatus for inserting crossties beneath the rails of a railroad track which not only includes means for moving the crossties to a position adjacent the railroad track, but also includes means for moving the crosstie in a straight line beneath the rails and then spacing the crossties in parallel relation to each other.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention i illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing my improved crosstie positioning apparatus mounted between a ballast removing unit and a ballast cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, drawn to a larger scale, showing a fragment of the ballast removing unit and the ballast cleaner in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing the portion of the tie inserter carrying the stop member as being retracted relative to the portion thereof carrying the abutment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the device which actually engages the crosstie and moves the same beneath the rails, the portion thereof carrying the stop member being extended relative to the portion thereof carrying the abutment;

FIG. 6 is a fragmental view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing the pivotal connection between the forward end of the elongated support member and the ballast removing unit;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmental view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my inventionb, I show in FIG. 1 a ballast removing unit indicated generally at 19 which is adapted to be supported on the rails 11 of a railroad track by wheels 12. The ballast removing unit is operatively connected to a ballast cleaning unit indicated generally at 13 by an elongated tow bar or support member indicated generally at 14. The forward end of the elongated support member 14 is provided with outwardly and forwardly extending members 16 which are provided with suitable openings therein for receiving reduced end portions 17 of a transverse member 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the transverse member 18 is provided with a centrally disposed pin 19 which pivotally connects the transverse member to the rear end of the ballast removing unit 10*. The rear end of of the elongated support member 14 is pivotally connected to the ballast cleaning unit 13 by a suitable hinge connection 21.

Secured to the elongated support member 14 adjacent opposite ends thereof are upstanding support members 22 and 23. Pivotally connected to the support members 22 and 23 by suitable pivot pins 24 and 26, respectively, is an elongated support beam 27, which may be in the form of an I-beam or the like. Mounted for movement along the support beam 27 by rollers 28 is a movable housing 29. Mounted within the housing 29 and extending generally parallel to the support beam 27 is a shaft 31 of a winch unit indicated generally at 32. The shaft 31 is operatively connected to a fluid presure operated motor 33 whereby the winch 32 may be driven in opposite directions. The winch 32 is provided with a flexible cable 34 having a suitable grapple unit 36 attached thereto. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the motor 33 by a conduit 37. The movable housing 29 is moved along the elongated support beam 27 by manually pulling the flexible cable 34 in the desired direction. Accordingly, the grapple unit 36 may be moved to any desired location outwardly of the rails 11 to engage a crosstie and then move the same into a position adjacent the railroad track. Flow of fluid to the motor 33 is controlled by a switch unit 35 carried by the grapple unit 36 and operatively connected to the motor 33 by a flexible line 35 Mounted for longitudinal movement along the elongated support member 14 is a movable frame 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the movable frame 38- encases the elongated support member 14 and is provided with a top wall 39, side walls 41 and 42 and bottom brace members 43. Mounted adjacent each side of the elongated support member 14 are longitudinally extending guide members 44, which preferably are in the form of outwardly opening channel members. The guide members 44 are sup ported at longitudinally spaced intervals by vertically extending brackets 46, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Secured to the inner sides of the vertical side walls 41 and 42 are stub shafts 47. Mounted for rotation on each of the stub shafts 47 is a roller 43 which is in position to engage the channel-like guide members 44 whereby the movable frame 38 is adapted for movement along the elongated support member 14.

Secured to one of the transverse brace members 43, as shown in FIG. 4 is an upstanding bracket 49. Pivotally connected to the upper end of the bracket 49 by a pivot pin 51 is a piston rod 52 of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 53. The cylinder 53 is pivotally connected by a pin 54 to brackets 56 which are carried by transverse channel-like members 47 of the elongated support member 14. The flow of fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder 53 is controlled by a hand lever 55 carried by the frame 38.

As shown in FIG. 3, the elongated support member 14 comprises a pair of laterally spaced I-beams 58 and 59 which are connected to each other by the channel-like members 57 whereby the I-beams extend generally parallel to each other.

Mounted on the movable frame 38 and supported by a pair of the transverse brackets 43 is a winch unit 61 having a drum 62 with a flexible cable 63 wound thereon. The drum 62 is mounted on a shaft 64 which is driven by a fluid pressure operated motor 66. Extending outwardly from opposite sides of the movable frame 38 are support brackets 67. Secured to each of the support brackets 67 above each rail 11 of the railroad track is a depending bracket 68 having an eye 69 for receiving the flexible cable 63, as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the flexible cable 63 may extend from either side of the movable frame 38 whereby the crossties may be inserted from either side of the railroad track.

Secured to the outer or free end of the flexible cable 63 as at 71 is a crosstie inserter indicated generally at 72. The inserter comprises an elongated frame having depending legs 73 and 74 adjacent one end thereof which are adapted to extend downwardly alongside the crosstie indicated generally at 75, as shown in FIG. 3. The opposite end of the inserter 72 is provided with a transverse handle 76. A depending abutment 77 is provided intermediate the ends of the inserter 72 in position to engage the end of the crosstie 75, as shown in FIG. 3. Mounted on the inserter adjacent the handle 76 is a switch element 78 which is operatively connected to the fluid pressure operated motor 66 by suitable flexible lines 78 whereby the direction of rotation of the motor may be controlled to control the movement of the inserter 72.

Mounted adjacent the end of the elongated inserter 72 nearest the movable frame 38 is an upstanding stop member 70 in position to engage the adjacent rail 11 and thus determine the distance that the crosstie is inserted beneath the rails. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the portion of the inserter 72 carrying the stop member 70 is adjustable relative to the portion thereof carrying the abutment 77 to thus provide means to regulate the distance the crosstie is to be inserted. A releasable connector 70 engages selected openings 70 to vary the position of the members.

Mounted on the elongated support member 14 rearwardly of the movable frame 38 is a movable frame 79. As shown in FIG. 7, the movable frame 79 is very similar to the movable frame 38 and comprises a top plate 39*, side Walls 41 and 42 and bottom brace members 43 Stub shafts 47 are mounted on the inner surface of the vertical side Walls 41 and 42 in position to support rollers 48 in position to engage the longitudinally extending channel-like guide members 44 which are carried by the elongated support member 14. Also, the movable frame 79 is provided with outwardly extending brackets 67 at opposite sides thereof, as shown in FIG. 7.

Secure-d to one of the transverse brace members 43 in an upstanding bracket 81 which is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 82 to a piston rod 83 of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 84. The cylinder 84 is pivotally connected by a pin 86 to vertical brackets 87 carried by the channel-like members 57 of the elongated support member 14, as shown. Fluid under pressure is supplied adjacent opposite ends of the cylinder 84 whereby the movable frame 79 is moved to selected positions relative to the elongated support member 14.

Pivotally connected to each of the support brackets 67 by a pivot pin 88 is a spacer member 89 which is adapted to move from a generally horizontal position to a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 7. The spacer member 89 shown at the left of FIG. 7 is in the horizontal position Whereas the spacer member 89 at the right side of FIG. 7 is in the vertical position. Projecting laterally from the inner side of each of the spacer members 89 is a bracket 91. Pivotally connected to the bracket 91 by a pivot pin 92 is the lower end of a piston rod 93 of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 94. The upper end of the cylinder 94 is pivotally connected by a pin 96 to outwardly extending brackets 97. Fluid under pressure is introduced selectively adjacent opposite ends of the cylinder 94 by control level whereby the spacer member 89 is moved from the generally horizontal position shown at the left side of FIG. 7 to the vertical position shown at the right side of FIG. 7. As clearly shown in FIG. 8, the lower end of the spacer member 89 is provided with a downwardly opening recess 98 which define depending members 99 and 101 which are disposed to extend downwardly along opposite sides of the crosstie 75. Accordingly, after moving the spacer member 89 to the lower, vertical position, the subjacent crosstie is received between the depending members 99 and 101. Upon actuation of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 84, the entire movable frame 79, together with the spacer members 89, is moved longitudinally of the rails 11 to thus position the crosstie 75 accurately in parallel alignment with the crossties adjacent thereto.

The flow of fluid under pressure to the cylinder 84 is controlled by a control lever 102 whereby the piston rod 83 and the movable frame connected thereto may be moved in opposite directions to thus position the crosstie 75 in parallel relationship to the crossties adjacent thereto. By providing a depending spacer member at opposite sides of the frame 79, both ends of the crosstie are moved at the same time to accurately position the crosstie. While I have shown my spacer member 89 at the left side of FIG. 7 as being in the upper, horizontal position, it will be apparent that during operation of the device, both of the spacer members 89 would be moved to the lower, vertical position, as shown at the right of FIG. 7.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus for positioning crossties beneath a railroad track will be readily understood. Where the crosstie is positioned a substantial distance from the rails 11, the flexible cable 34 is pulled outwardly manually whereby the grapple unit 36- is in position to engage the crosstie. The position of the housing 29 relative to the supporting rail 27 is also varied by manual movement of the flexible cable 34. With the crossties thus engaged by the grapple unit 36, the switch 35 is actuated to energize the fluid pressure operated motor 33 whereupon the crosstie is moved to a position adjacent and outwardly of the rails 11. The crosstie is then moved the remainder of the distance beneath the rails by the inserter 72. That is, the depending members 73 and 74 are positioned at opposite sides of the crosstie 75 while the depending abutment 77 engages the end of the crosstie, as shown in FIG. 3. The switch element 78 is then energized whereupon the fluid pressure operated motor 66 drives the winch 61 in a direction to retract the cable 63 whereupon the crosstie is moved in a rectilinear direction beneath the rails 11. By positioning the eye members 69 closely adjacent and directly above the rails 11, the direction of pull is adjacent the rails to thus aid in movement of the crosstie beneath the rails. To move the movable frame 38 longitudinally of the elongated supporting frame 14, the control lever 55 is actuated to introduce fluid at opposite ends of the cylinder 53 to thus move the frame 38 in the desired direction.

With the crosstie thus positioned beneath the rails 11, the movable frame 79 is moved to proper position over the crosstie just inserted by actuation of the control lever 102. The spacer members 89 are then lowered to the vertical position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 by actuating the control lever 95 to introduce fluid under pressure adjacent the top of the cylinder 94. With the spacer members 89 in the lowered position, as shown in FIG. 8, the control lever 102 is actuated to move the movable frame 79 and the spacer members 89 in the desired direction to position the crossties 75 accurately in parallel relationship to the crossties adjacent thereto. The spacer members '89 are then elevated by actuating the control lever 95 to introduce fluid adjacent the lower endS of the cylinders 94.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised improved apparatus for positioning crossties adjacent the rails of a railroad track and then inserting the same beneath the rails, together with improved means for spacing the crossties accurately in parallel relationship to each other. By providing means for inserting the crossties in a rectilinear direction, a minimum of force is required to insert the crossties and at the same time the crossties are positioned in generally parallel relationship to each other. Also, by providing the spacer members which are adapted to move downwardly and then move the crosstie in either direction to properly align the crosstie, the crosstie is accurately aligned by merely actuating the control lever 102.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a ballast removing unit and a ballast cleaning unit mounted for movement along a railroad track, of

(a) an elongated support member operatively connected at one end to said ballast removing unit and operatively connected at its other end to said ballast cleaning unit,

(b) a crosstie positioning unit mounted on said elongated support member and adapted for longitudinal movement relative thereto, and

(c) means to move said crosstie positioning unit to selected positions along said elongated support member.

2. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track comprising:

(a) an elongated support member supported for movement along the rails of a railroad track and at an elevation above said rails,

(b) a movable frame mounted for movement along said elongated support member,

(0) a fluid pressure operated unit having a cylinder and a piston rod,

((1) means operatively connecting said fluid pressure operated unit to said elongated support member and said movable frame,

(e) means to introduce fluid under pressure adjacent one end of said cylinder to move said movable frame in one direction,

(f) means to introduce fluid under pressure adjacent the other end of said cylinder to move said movable frame in the opposite direction,

(g) a winch carried by said movable frame and having 6 a flexible cable extendable to a position outwardly of the rails of the railroad track, and I (h) a crosstie engaging unit connected to the outer end of said flexible cable in position to engage a crosstie and move said crosstie beneath the rails.

3. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 2 in which the movable frame is connected to the elongated support member by means comprising:

(a) outwardly opening, channel-like trackways carried by opposite sides of said elongated support member and extending longitudinally thereof, and

(b) rollers carried by said movable frame in position to engage said trackways.

4'. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track comprising:

(a) an elongated support member supported for movement along the rails of a railroad track and at an elevation above said rails,

(b) a movable frame mounted for movement along said elongated support member,

(c) means to move said movable frame to selected positions along said elongated support member,

(d) a winch carried by said movable frame and having a flexible cable extendable to a position outwardly of the rails of the railroad track,

(e) a power unit to propel said winch,

(f) an elongated member connected to said cable and disposed to extend over one end of a crosstie,

(g) depending brackets carried by one end of said elongated member in position to extend alongside opposite sides of a crosstie,

(h) a handle member carried by the other end of said elongated member,

(i) a depending abutment carried by said elongated member intermediate the ends thereof,

(j) a switch unit mounted adjacent said handle, and

(k) means operatively connecting said switch unit to said power unit to control operation of said winch.

5. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 4- in which a stop member is carried by said one end of said elongated member in position to engage an adjacent rail of the railroad track to determine the distance the crosstie is inserted beneath the rails.

6. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 5 in which the portion of said elongated member carrying said stop member is adjustable relative to the portion thereof carrying the depending abutment.

7. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 4 in which a depending bracket having an eye therein is carried by said movable frame in position to receive the cable superjacent a rail.

8. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track comprising:

(a) an elongated support member adapted to be supported for movement along the rails of a railroad track and at an elevation above said rails,

(b) a movable frame adapted for movement along said elongated support member,

(c) means to move said movable frame to selected positions along said elongated support member,

(d) a crosstie spacer member pivotally connected adjacent its upper end to said movable frame and adapted to move from an upper horizontal position above the top surface of a crosstie to a lower vertical position,

(e) spaced apart crosstie engaging members carried by said spacer member in position to extend downwardly at opposite sides of a crosstie while said spacer member is in said lower position whereby upon movement of said movable frame to said selected positions the crosstie is also moved to selected positions.

9. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 3 in which a spacer member is mounted adjacent each side of said movable frame in position to engage the crosstie between the rails of a railroad track.

10. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 8 in which the crosstie spacer member comprises a plate-like mem- 1 her having a downwardly opening centrally disposed opening therein which defines spaced apart crosstie engaging members.

11. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 8 in which a laterally extending bracket is carried by said spacer member in spaced relation to the pivotal connection to said movable frame and fluid pressure operated means is mounted between said bracket and said movable frame to move said spacer member selectively from said upper horizontal position to said lower vertical position.

12. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 8 in which the means to move said movable frame to selected positions along said elongated support member comprises:

(a) a fluid pressure operated unit having a cylinder and a piston rod,

(b) means operatively connecting said fluid pressure operated unit to said elongated support member and said movable frame,

(c) means to introduce fluid under pressure adjacent one end of said cylinder to move said movable frame in one direction, and

(d) means to introduce fluid under pressure adjacent the other end of said cylinder to move said movable frame in the opposite direction.

13. Apparatus for positioning a crosstie beneath the rails of a railroad track as defined in claim 12 in which the movable frame is connected to the elongated support member by means comprising:

(a) outwardly opening, channel-like trackways carried by opposite sides of said elongated support member and extending longitudinally thereof, and (b) rollers carried by said movable frame in position to engage said trackways.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,260,218 7/1966 Pyke l049 3,349,717 10/1967 BliX et al 104-9 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD A. BERTSCH, Assistant Examiner. 

